Signing day is an event where senior athletes sign off for their future plans to enter the collegiate level and celebrate their success with friends and family. This was held on Apr. 30 at 11 a.m. in the Media Center.
Signing day featured 12 student athletes across six sports.

Baseball – Luke Brunner committed to Harford Community College, Jack Kerns committed to Frederick Community College, and Matthew Kunst committed to Marymount University

Basketball – Samuel Alexandre committed to Catholic University, and Khairi Hyde committed to St. Mary’s College
Volleyball – Naima Cho-Khaliq committed to Amherst College, and Timothy Ouyang committed to Belmont Abbey College

Swimming – Santiago Cubero Villiers committed to Frostburg State University

Lacrosse – Connor Jackson committed to Concordia University, and Garrett Valentine committed to Notre Dame of Maryland University

Ice Hockey – Madeline Hill and Morgan Hill both committed to New England University

In that order, the athletes were introduced by athletics director Al Lightsey, followed by a more detailed introduction by their respective coaches.

The coaches explained to the other parents, coaches, teachers, students, and teammates who attended why these athletes deserve to reach the next level in their athletic careers, including ways they impacted their team and teammates, their significant skill in their respective sports, their academic excellence and their commitment to the sport on and off the field. They speak more about their accolades and accomplishments during their high school careers as well as how they started the sport, whether it was since their youth, or if they started in high school.

Senior Connor Jackson, a lacrosse commit, did not have a coach present. “They still managed to get a message from the coaches for me and had Mr. Lightsey introduce me instead. It was a great replacement and I wouldn’t want it to be anyone else,” Jackson said.

With the student athletes and their parents representing the school with their merch, the celebrations continued with cake. With signing day starting near the end of fourth period and going into lunch, teammates and friends could support their student-athlete friends without skipping a class. Senior Emre Wright came to watch and support his friend Brunner. “I am happy that I could come watch without any conflicts with my classes. I enjoyed the concessions and the cake as well as watching all my other friends sign off for their future colleges,” Wright said.

For the younger student-athletes who were in attendance, like junior Nicole Subiela, it was not only an inspiration for any future commitments but also a good way to see the paths that the seniors take. “It was cool to see all the different routes they were taking at the collegiate level, whether it was division one, two, or three or JUCO,” Subiela said.

For other possible future commits, like junior Zach King, it was cool to see their own teammates grow and sign off to their colleges and learn and take advice from them. “It’s nice knowing that I can ask Connor or Garrett for any commitment help. It also gives me motivation to see my own teammates who I have played with commit and sign to these colleges which I hope to do next year as well,” King said.